3 of Spades-Oh so me!

The 6 of Clubs is my birth card (did you know you can find out your birth card in a regular deck-so cool!)
Yet, I would say that the 3 of spades describes a big part of my life.

The 3 of spades is creative inspiration – it is such a strong creative energy, that unless the person is focused on a venue for that energy, they can become scattered and indecisive.
I am one of those who has too many ideas and I don’t like staying with one for a long time. I could never work for the same company my whole life or work on a factory line. I can’t stand routine or ruts. I’m not one who enjoys strict structure and rules. I like dabbling here and there, trying out a multitude of ideas that flood my head as I try to fall asleep. Barbara Sher even wrote a book for folks like me:Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams

The 3 of spades MUST express themselves. It is about varied interests and being talented on more that one front ( I seriously envy those who have one great talent and they are working in a field using that talent) and those who are this card are good at a lot of different jobs. The issue happens when the person is unsure of their goals in life; all that creative energy turns to worry. Constant, debilitating worry.

What this card teaches is that with enormous creative energy one must also utilize patience and persistence; one must also have a clear cut goal.

I knew exactly what the card was saying to me when I drew it. In an earlier post, I realized I needed a new list of goals. Well, as exciting as that is, I went into hysterics over it…..because I like to dabble in so many things. And I tend to feel that I need to let go of what I am currently working on and try something new.
What the card was saying to me was: If you want to achieve success, adopt a slow but sure approach. Listen to your intuition and inner vision.
Allow the creative energies to be the source of inspiration, not a distraction.

What I have learned is that we can know we are on the right path (with a job, a relationship, a project) when what we need to make it work appears for us. A mentor, help, advice, materials, education and of course positive feelings about all of it. Then it is a matter of sticking to it and using the creative energy to feed it. The trick is in realizing that a lot of creative energy can also feel like discontentment: a feeling that we should go off in another direction instead. It can be hard to discern a lot of energy from restlessness and confusion over what to do.

In talking with other writers about writing a novel, we all are experiencing that realization that it takes time-dedicated, focused time. Its an odd gig. It can take years to complete. Unlike a painting that we can watch come together and even if it takes a few weeks or a few months, the end result is there in front of us, we can see it, touch it. A novel in progress is partly in our heads, some on paper, some on the hard drive. Months can be spent on research, weeks doing something else while it brews in our subconscious. Folks can’t see the work we are doing.
But, the creative energy is flowing through us; it can feel antsy, disheveled, and it can make us worry. Are we on the right track? Is this project going to be worth it in the end? Why am I really doing this? Is it as good as I originally thought it would be?

The thought for today is: Be easy on yourself. With a lot of creative energy comes opportunities and ideas, which can lead to indecision and stress. if unsure of what direction to go in, go do something physical, move, go out into nature…then tune in to your inner voice and trust yourself.

Are you one who can stick with something for a really long time and see the outcome? Or, do you like to go off in a hundred different directions? Do you have a way to keep yourself on track?